Welcome to Bangalore
I arrived in Bangalore early enough to witness the notorious rush hour traffic on my way to my hotel. My head bobbed and weaved from jet lag in the backseat of the hotel car as I drifted in and out of consciousness. I remember flashes of gardens, honks, motorbikes, monsoon clouds, Hindi and English signs before I was suddenly seated, staring into a hot cup of chai, trying my best to calm my chattering nerves.
The sound of my name snapped my head up. The man in front of me introduced himself as Rollo Romig, one of my professors. He was kind and genuine, as was the young girl that came running to him. His daughter, he noted, noting also that he was married to the other professor, Shahnaz Habib. I met her at orientation, a woman clearly so knowledgeable and willing to go the distance every morning bright and early with a writing prompt for her eager students.

After orientation I roamed the local streets with three of the four other students (one had yet to arrive) on a quest for dosas and a mental map of our surroundings. I’ve never met them before, and was surprised at how easily we clicked with each other — rotating formations of pairs and triples with ease. Newfound friends: Isoken Osagie, 17, from Nigeria, Ana Holschuh, 18, from Spain, Morgan Lopez, 19, from New Jersey. And the next morning, Paige Smucker, newly 22 (she had traveled to Bangalore on her birthday) from Pennsylvania.
I admire Isoken’s clear direction and knowledge of what she wants and needs, unafraid to chase, and if she is, conquers that fear. Ana is sweet, lovely to talk to, and down-to-earth, pursuing in practice the things she wants. Morgan fires up conversations, melting away others’ fears with a flash of her always authentic smile. Paige is lively and caring and filled the final piece of our 5-person dynamic.
Together, we went out to lunch and met two film students, Manisha and Sushma, from St. Joseph’s College who invited us to an art exhibition with works made by their classmates and a Community Drum Jam by Enable India. There were drums and tambourines for passersby on the bustling MG Road to pick up and play, with space in the center to dance or, like a young girl did, hula hoop. Drumbeats and art drew together a micro community representative of the values on which the Writing India abroad program came together: camaraderie, creation, and a hearty energy. It was a very warm welcome to Bangalore.


